At Seva Bharathi’s Women’s Training Centre in Hyderabad, something new has bloomed, a quiet room filled with stories, inspiration, and possibility. It’s not just a library. It’s a turning point.
For the women at the centre, many from needy and underprivileged backgrounds, this space offers more than shelves of books. It offers confidence, vision, and a reason to believe that they, too, can dream big.
The credit goes to a young girl with a powerful mission — Akarshana Sathish, just 13 years old, who’s been building libraries since she was eight. But what makes this story special is how her mission and Seva Bharathi’s vision align so perfectly.
The Women’s Training Centre, run by Seva Bharathi, empowers women through skill development, from tailoring to beautician training to basic entrepreneurship. Most of the women here are first-time learners. Many never had access to proper schooling, and nearly all of them have lived through hardship.
“This library came at the right time,” says one of the trainers. “We’ve always focused on skills. Now, we can also nourish minds.”
The 600 books — all in Telugu include motivational reads, self-help titles, short stories, biographies, and practical guides on health, hygiene, and finance. For many of the women, it’s their first time opening a book just for themselves.
“I never thought I’d sit down and read a book after a long day,” shares Latha, a young woman at the centre. “But I read about Kalpana Chawla yesterday. Now I want to learn more. Maybe even write my own story one day.”
This is exactly what Seva Bharathi hoped to spark.
For years, the organization has worked at the grassroots, helping women reclaim their independence. From education to employment, the goal is simple: build stronger communities by building stronger women.
This new library is one more step in that journey.
When Akarshana approached Seva Bharathi to set up a library here, the team immediately saw the potential. “We’ve seen how just one book can change a girl’s thinking,” says a Seva Bharathi coordinator. “Imagine what 600 can do.”
The inauguration was graced by Jennifer Larson, U.S. Consulate General for Hyderabad and Smt. Rema Rajeshwari, IPS, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Women Safety Wing, Telangana, who praised the collaboration between a determined young changemaker and a community-rooted organization.
“This is what progress looks like,” she said. “When we invest in women, we invest in everyone.”
For Akarshana, this is another step in her journey of spreading the joy of reading. For Seva Bharathi, it’s a reflection of their ongoing mission; nurturing opportunity, empowerment, and a future full of choice.
And for the women at the training centre?
It’s the beginning of a new chapter, literally and metaphorically.
Because now, they don’t just stitch clothes. They stitch new dreams.
